Monday 24 September 2012 16.53 EDT
First published on Monday 24 September 2012 16.53 EDT

Theo Walcott has said that he wants to stay at Arsenal but "it's about time" he followed Thierry Henry by moving from the wing into a central striking role. The winger maintained that the delay in signing a new contract had nothing to do with money but admitted agreeing a deal could be a "slow process".

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, warned last week the club may be forced to sell Walcott – something they appeared close to doing this summer – if an agreement could not be reached before the transfer window reopens. It has been suggested Walcott is seeking assurances of more playing time, especially in a central role.

Under Wenger Henry went from being a winger to become Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer and Walcott, who took over the Frenchman's No14 jersey, said: "I want to be an Arsenal legend. Thierry joined the club when he was 22 and I want to become an Arsenal legend like him, playing up front as well, which is a big factor for me. I've played on the right wing and had the opportunity to play up front a bit more so I think it's about time."

Talks over extending the 23-year-old's contract, which expires at the end of the season, reached crisis point last month when he rejected a new five-year deal worth £75,000 a week. It was reported Walcott was holding out for £100,000 a week but he said: "That speculation on the money side of it has never been me. That's not me.

"I'm not the sort of person who's influenced by money. I always make my decisions based on football and only football. Hopefully something can be sorted out. I'll just wait for the club to get back to us now and go from there.

"It's a slow process. My last contract took over six months to happen. Hopefully it can be sorted out. I've never said I wanted to go. I've always wanted to stay."

However, Walcott refused to rule out leaving Arsenal. "It's one of those things that happens in the game," he said. "If it comes to it, if the club had to sell me, I'd be disappointed but, like I said, hopefully something can be sorted."